Let the Mountain Bikers Crash on Their Own Trails

Published: July 2, 1995

To the Editor:

In his June 18 Soapbox, "The Zen of Mountain Biking," J. P. Partland says he's addicted to mountain biking. That's great, but does he have to destroy the hiking trails? He thinks it's O.K. because only a "handful" of hikers are bitterly complaining. A few thousand is quite a handful. He compares the soles of hiking shoes to the tires of mountain bikes, but the destructiveness of the latter is far, far greater.

As for Mr. Partand's contention that "crashing is frequent, but injuries are rare," that statement is not consistent with my professional experience.

The hiking trails were put in by hikers and maintained by hikers for more than 75 years. I think the time has come for bikes to use and maintain their own trails where they would crash into other bikers, not hikers. ALBERT P. ROSEN, M.D. Fair Lawn